Holographic stereogram printing system, holographic stereogram printing method and holographing device

ABSTRACT

A holographic stereogram printing system to print holographic stereograms with good efficiency and no drop in the operating rate of the imaging system and holographic printer. An imaging system control section of an imaging system comprises an operating section that along with controlling the operation of the camera according to the desired selection of the user such as imaging method, image size selection or image layout, also creates an information management file for the base image based on the control information. A holographic stereogram printer prints out a holographic stereogram according to the information management file provided along a transmission path.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a holographic stereogram printing system, hologram printing method and an imaging device for printing out holographic stereograms recorded on a hologram recording medium.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A holographic stereogram is made for example by using a plurality of images as a base image obtained from an object sequentially captured from different viewing points, and recording these images in sequence in rectangular or dot shaped hologram elements on one hologram recording medium.

[0005] When for example making a holographic stereogram possessing only parallax information in lateral directions, a parallax image row 101 is obtained consisting of a plurality of images having parallax information in the lateral directions, by sequentially capturing images of an object 100 from laterally different viewing points as shown in FIG. 6. Each of the images 102 comprising the parallax image row 101 is then recorded in sequence as consecutive rectangular hologram elements in the lateral direction on the recording medium 103. A holographic stereogram possessing parallax information in the lateral directions is in this way acquired.

[0006] In this holographic stereogram, the plurality of images 102 acquired by capturing sequential images from laterally different viewing points are sequentially recorded as rectangular hologram elements in the lateral direction so that when a person views the holographic stereogram with both eyes, different pieces of two-dimensional information are seen respectively by the right eye and the left eye. The person perceives a parallax (or visual difference in angle) creating a three-dimensional image.

[0007] Besides the above, many studies have also been made of three-dimensional display technology utilizing holographic stereograms. A printer system for making holographic stereograms has also been disclosed (A. Shirakura; N. Kihara; S. Baba: “Instant holographic portrait printing system”, Proc. SPIE Vol. 3293, p.246-253, Practical Holography XII).

[0008] An example of technology applying a holographic stereogram printing system to portraits, (A. Shirakura; N. Kihara; S. Baba: “Instant holographic portrait printing system”, Proc. SPIE Vol. 3293, p.246-253, Practical Holography XII) is shown in FIG. 7. In the example shown here, the imaging (photographing) with the imaging system 200 requires 7.5 seconds, the hologram printing with the holographic printer 210 requires 180 seconds and the subsequent processing requires 10 minutes. Assuming for instance that this system is operated at an amusement park, with one holographic printer 210 for the imaging system 200, the operating rate for the imaging system will of course decline. Also, if for some reason the imaging time for the imaging system 200 takes longer than the holographic printing by the holographic printer 210 then the operating rate of the holographic printer will worsen.

[0009] Further, when printing data such as from the Internet by using this system, contriving some means to sequentially store and print out many image data is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the above problems with the related art this invention has the object of providing a holographic stereogram printing system and hologram printing method to print holographic stereograms with good efficiency and without a drop in the operating rate of the imaging system and the holographic printer. This invention has the further object of providing an imaging device capable of making print outs of holographic stereograms on a holographic printer with good efficiency.

[0011] In order to achieve the above objects, the holographic stereogram printing system of this invention comprises a base image provision means to provide a control information file relating to the base image used in the hologram and the base image, a transmission path to transmit the base image and control information file from the base image provision means, and a printing means to make printouts of the holographic stereograms based on the base image according to the control information file.

[0012] The holographic stereogram printing system of this invention is further comprised of a plurality of base image provision means to provide control information files relating to the base image and that base image used in the hologram, a network means for transferring and apportioning the base image and control information files from the plurality of base image provision means, and a plurality of printing means to make printouts of the holographic stereograms based on the base image according to the control information file apportioned from the plurality of base image provision means.

[0013] The holographic stereogram printing system of this invention is yet further comprised of an image processing means for specified processing on said base image provided from the base image provision means by way of the transmission path, and the printing means makes printouts of the row of images subjected to the specified processing by the image processing means according to the control information file.

[0014] In other words, a system wherein a plurality of camera units or data from a network such as the Internet are collected in an image distribution means such as a computer, and the collected image data appropriately assigned to a plurality of holographic printers to print the holographic stereograms.

[0015] Also, ID numbers are assigned to each data by the server computer to make specifying what image has become what holographic stereogram easy, and embedding these ID numbers in the image of the holographic stereogram proves convenient during actual use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the holographic stereogram printing system according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a drawing of the format of the control information file.

[0018]FIGS. 3A and 3B are drawings showing the structure of the hologram printer.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of an adaptation of the holographic stereogram printing system of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the holographic stereogram printing system according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a block diagram for describing the system of the related art for making a holographic stereogram.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a drawing for describing an example applying the holographic stereogram printing system to portraits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The embodiments of the invention are next described while referring to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited by the following examples and optional changes in the structure may be made without departing from the scope or substance of the invention.

[0024] A holographic stereogram printing system 1 of FIG. 1 is first explained. In this holographic stereogram printing system 1, an imaging system 2 to photograph (image capture) a hologram base image, and one hologram printer 4 to make print outs of the holographic stereogram are connected by a transmission path 3.

[0025] The imaging system 2 may for instance be a camera moving in a straight line along an image capture track to capture images of an object or may be rotating during the image capture and capable of panning, etc. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, a camera 2 b moves along the image capture track 2 a while fixed to face the target object M, and a base image is acquired utilizing the imaging system 2 by multiple image capture of the object M from different positions. The imaging system is controlled by the imaging control section 2 c according to user operation, and a control information file created in the imaging system 2 is added to the base image. The control information file holds all types of information relating to the base image and contains main elements such as identification numbers. A more detailed description is related later on, however a format consisting of an identification number added to information relating to attributes such as the base image and image capture conditions when the base image was photographed (image captured) by means of the imaging system 2 is listed.

[0026] The transmission path 3 sends the base image and the control information file to the hologram printer 4 from the imaging system 2. The hologram printer 4 makes printouts of the holographic stereogram based on the base image according to the control information file provided by way of the transmission path 3. The look-up table, image brightness and the aspect ratio are optimized based on the image capture (photography) conditions listed in the control information file, and holographic stereogram exposure performed.

[0027] The imaging control section 2 c comprises an operating section, and controls operation of the camera 2 b according to the selections desired by the user such as selection of the image capture method, selection of image size, and selection of image capture layout. The imaging control section 2 c also creates a control information file. A specific example of the control information contained in this control information file is explained while referring to FIG. 2 and the Table 1 described later on.

[0028] Control information consists of a 4 byte image data identification ID, a 42 byte image capture information, a 33 byte application (APL) information, a 2 byte composite image information, a 130 byte character information, and a 2 byte print count information as shown in FIG. 2. TABLE 1 FIELD NAME BYTES DATA FORMAT Image data ID 4 B Image capture time 2 B Image capture distance 4 B Image capture method 1 B Image capture angle 2 B Image capture track length 4 B Image capture image size 8 B Image capture resolution 8 B Image capture date/time 8 B Image capture layout 1 B Image capture source 2 B Image capture shutter speed 2 B Application ID 1 B Application file name 32 A Foreground image ID 1 B Background image ID 1 B Foreground character code ID 1 B Foreground character information 64 A Background character code ID 1 B Background character information 1 B Print count 2 B Reserved 43 B

[0029] The image data identification ID is for identifying image data photographed by the camera 2 b of the imaging system 2 and is usually assigned as a serial number.

[0030] Image capture information is information relating to conditions of the imaging system 2 when the target object M is photographed (image captured) for example by the camera 2 b. More specifically, as shown in Table 1, the image capture information can consist of the image capture time, image capture distance, image capture method, image capture angle, image capture track length, image capture image size, image capture resolution, image capture date/time, image capture layout, image capture source, and image capture shutter speed. Two bytes are assigned to the image capture time, the first byte indicates a two-digit integer and the second byte indicates two digits below the decimal point. For example, 0725 h signifies image capture (photography) at 7.25 seconds. The image capture distance is shown by four byte integers (mm). The image capture method signifies an image capture method utilizing the camera 2 b and distinguishes the image capture into image capture by re-centering, image capture by rotation, image capture by panning, and image capture by straight track, etc. The image capture angle is shown by an integer of two bytes and is the image capture angle versus the target object M of the camera 2 b. The image capture track length is shown by an integer of four bytes. The image capture size consists of eight bytes, the upper four bytes indicate the image capture zone horizontal size (mm) and the lower four bytes indicate the image capture zone vertical size (mm). The image capture resolution consists of eight bytes, the upper four bytes indicate the horizontal resolution (pixels) and the lower four bytes indicate the vertical resolution (pixels). The image capture date/time consists of eight bytes of which one byte is a dummy and the remainder indicates the year, month, day, hours, minutes and seconds. The image capture layout consists of one byte and signifies the horizontal/vertical rotation angle. The image capture source consists of two bytes, and for the camera 2 b the upper one byte indicates the manufacturer ID, and the lower one byte indicates the model ID. The image capture shutter speed is assigned two bytes.

[0031] The application information consists of the application ID and the application file name. The user selects the type of image to print out for the holographic stereogram by using the imaging control section 2 c. The imaging control section 2 c checks whether the user has selected a 3-dimensional print, a moving image print, a still image album print or a custom effect print such as a morphing, selects from the various image processing software in the software storage section, loads the software into the RAM and runs it. An ID matching the selected application is provided as a one-byte application ID. The application file name is expressed within 32 characters in ASCII code and is a file name specified by the application ID for storing the file information required for printing in each application. In the case of a still image print, the number of still images to print and the file names for each still image are listed within the file specified by the application file name.

[0032] Composite image information is information for synthesizing the base images captured (photographed) by the imaging system 2. The image numbers for synthesizing the foreground or the background of the basic image data are respectively indicated by one byte.

[0033] The character information consists of foreground character code ID and background character code ID, and foreground character information and background character information. One byte each is assigned to the foreground character code ID and background character code ID, and the lower two bits for example specify character codes such as ASCII, SJIS and Unicode, the upper six bits are used to specify the 64 font types. The foreground character information and background character information identified by the character code ID are expressed with 64 bytes each and a null character is the terminator character.

[0034] Two bytes are assigned to the print count information and show the number of print outs of the holographic stereogram by the hologram printer 4.

[0035] The above base image data is appended to the control file information holding the control information described above, and sent to the hologram printer 4 by way of the transmission path 3. The hologram printer 4 makes printouts of the holographic stereogram based on the control information file sent along the transmission path 3. The hologram printer 4 at this time incorporates items such as the print count, optimized exposure information or the ID No. of the hologram. Optimizing to the exposure information is performed by optimizing the brightness of the look-up table and image, and the aspect ratio, based on the image capture conditions listed in the control information file.

[0036] Next, the hologram printer 4 is described while referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A is a drawing of the optical system of the hologram printer 4 as seen from above. FIG. 3B is a drawing of an essential section of the optical system of the hologram printer 4 as seen from the side.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3A, the hologram printer 4 comprises a laser lamp source 31 to beam a laser light of a specific wavelength, a half mirror 33, and an exposure shutter 32 installed along the optical axis of the laser light L1 from the laser lamp source 31.

[0038] The exposure shutter 32 is shut when light is not exposed on the hologram record medium 30, and is opened when light is exposed on the hologram record medium 30. The half mirror 33 has the job of separating the laser light L2 passing through the exposure shutter 32, into the reference light and target object light. The laser light L3 reflected from the half mirror 33 is the reference light, and the light L4 permeating through the half mirror 33 is the target object light.

[0039] A reference light optical system consisting of a cylindrical lens 34, a collimator lens 35 for making the reference light a parallel beam, and a full reflecting mirror 36 for reflecting the light made into a parallel beam by the collimator lens 35 are installed in that order, on the optical axis of the light L3 reflected by the half mirror 33.

[0040] The light reflected by the half mirror 33 is first changed into dispersed light by the cylindrical lens 34, and then changed into a parallel light beam by the collimator lens 35. Afterwards the light is reflected by the full reflecting mirror 36 and beamed into the hologram recording medium 30.

[0041] In the drawings of FIGS. 3A and 3B on the other hand, the target object light optical system consists of a full reflecting mirror 38 reflecting the light permeating from the half mirror 33, a special filter 39 consisting of a convex lens and pinhole, a collimator lens 40 for making the target object light a parallel beam, a display device 41 for displaying the image for recording, and a cylindrical lens 42 for focusing the target object light on the hologram record medium 30 are installed in that order along the optical path of the light L4 permeating through the half mirror 33.

[0042] After the full reflecting mirror 38 has reflected back the light L4 that permeated through the half mirror 33, the light from the point light source is diffused by the special filter 39. Next, the light is changed into a parallel beam by the collimator 40 and then beamed into the display device 41. The display device 41 here is a permeable type image display device consisting for example of a liquid crystal panel, and displays images based on image data sent from the imaging system 2. The light from the display device 41, after modulated according to the image shown on the display device 41 is input to the cylindrical lens 42.

[0043] The light passing through the display device 41 is condensed laterally by the cylindrical lens 42, and that. condensed light then input as the object light to the hologram recording medium 30. In other words, in the hologram printer 4, the projected light from the display device 41 is input to the hologram recording medium 30 as object light of a rectangular shape.

[0044] The reference light is beamed onto the main surface of the hologram recording medium 30, and the object light is beamed onto the other main surface of the hologram recording medium 30. In other words, along with the reference light being input at a specified angle to one main surface of the hologram recording medium 30, object light is input to the other main surface with an optical axis approximately perpendicular to the hologram recording medium 30. The reference light and object light therefore interfere on the hologram recording medium 30, and the resulting interference bands due to this interference are recorded as a refractive index on the hologram recording medium 30.

[0045] A holographic stereogram print device 3 comprises a record medium feed device 43 to intermittently feed and acquire the hologram record medium 30. Every time one image is recorded as one element image, based on the base image data, this record medium feed device 43 intermittently supplies just one program element, to the hologram record medium 30 set in a specified state in the hologram record medium 30. In this way, images based on the base image data are consecutively recorded as element images in sequence laterally on the hologram recording medium 30.

[0046] A light exposed image is displayed on the hologram printer 4, based on the image data on the display device 41. The hologram record medium 30 is exposed to light by releasing (opening) the exposure shutter 32 for a specified time.

[0047] A light is beamed at this time from the laser lamp source 31, and of the laser light L2 permeating through the exposure shutter 32, a light L3 reflected by the half mirror 33 is input to the hologram recording medium 30 as the reference light. The light L4 permeating through the half mirror 33 is the projection light projecting the image displayed on the display device 41, the projected light is input to the hologram recording medium 30 as the object light. The light exposed image shown on the display device 41 is recorded as a rectangular element image on the hologram recording medium 30.

[0048] When the recording of one image onto the hologram recording medium 30 is complete, one element program portion is then sent to the hologram recording medium 30 by means of the record medium feed device 43.

[0049] The above described operation is consecutively repeated, changing the exposure images displayed on the display device 41 in the order of the array of parallax images. In this way, the exposure images are sequentially recorded as rectangular element images on the hologram recording medium 30 based on the base image data.

[0050] The hologram printer 4 here optimizes items such as the image brightness and internal look-up table, and the aspect ratio by means of the exposure of the holographic stereogram by way of the shutter 32. The hologram printer 4 then makes a specified number of printouts of the holographic stereogram based on the print count information.

[0051] The hologram printer 4 also incorporates the ID No. into the holographic stereogram based on the image data identification ID. If the characteristics of the holographic stereogram are utilized, then an ID No. can be shown for only the holographic stereogram as seen from a designated angle can be viewed. Further, making just the ID visible is also possible however an image such as of the person photographed can be combined with the ID No. Also, image processing can be performed so that different information can be seen according to the viewing position. By embedding ID Nos. in this way, the image capture data can easily be matched with the printout of the holographic stereogram, making this method ideal for making reprints or filing by the customer, etc.

[0052] The hologram printer 4 designates the image No. for the foreground or rear view for making a composite with the base image from the imaging system 2, according to the composite image information in the control information file, and makes a printout of the image composite holographic stereogram.

[0053] A variation of the holographic stereogram printing system 1 is next described while referring to FIG. 4. This variation of the holographic stereogram printing system 5 comprises an image processor 6 to perform specified image processing on the base images provided from the imaging system 2 by way of the transmission path 3 a. The hologram printer 7 receives by way of the transmission path 3 b, the row of images subjected to the specified processing in the image processor 6, and makes holographic stereogram printouts according to the control information file. In this holographic stereogram printing system 5, specified image processing such as keystone distortion correction and viewpoint conversion is performed in the image processor 6. The image processing at this time is performed by the image processor 6 according to the control information file. The processing relating to embedding the ID Nos. by the hologram printer 4 of the holographic stereogram printing system 1 as shown in FIG. 1 may also be performed. The above described image composite (synthesis) processing may also be performed.

[0054] Another embodiment of this invention is next described while referring to FIG. 5. This other embodiment is a holographic stereogram printing system for making printouts of holographic stereograms from images acquired from a plurality of imaging systems and external data processors and printing these holographic stereograms by way of a plurality of hologram printers on a hologram recording media.

[0055] In other words, the holographic stereogram printing system 10 comprises a plurality of imaging systems 11 ₁, 11 ₂ . . . 11 _(n), a plurality of external data receive processors 15 ₁ . . . 15 _(m), a plurality of hologram printers 18 ₁, 18 ₂ . . . 18 _(x), a hologram printer controller 19 to control these hologram printers, and an image processing section 20 connected to a network 17.

[0056] The imaging system 11 ₁ for example from among the plurality of imaging systems 11 ₁, 11 ₂ . . . 11 _(n), captures (photographs) an image of the target object M₁ by means of the camera 13 moving on the imaging track 12 ₁, the same as was shown for the imaging system 2 in FIG. 1, or captures imaging in a rotating state or capture images by panning, etc. This imaging system 11 ₁ is controlled by an imaging system control section 14 ₁ by user operation, and a control information file generated by the imaging system control section 14 ₁ is added to the base image.

[0057] The control information file generated by the imaging system control section 14 ₁, 14 ₂ . . . 14 _(n), is as shown in FIG. 2 and Table 1. A description is omitted here.

[0058] The external data receive processors 15 ₁ directly input motion pictures and a plurality of still image data from the digital still camera, digital video camera and analog video devices by way of various types of external networks 16.

[0059] The external data receive processors 15 _(m) directly input motion pictures and a plurality of still image data from removable media such as floppy disks, CD-ROMS, DVDs and semiconductor memory cards by way of various types of external networks 16.

[0060] The hologram printer 18 ₁ for example from among the plurality of hologram printers 18 ₁, 18 ₂ . . . 18 _(x), comprises the same structure as shown in FIG. 3. A description is omitted here.

[0061] The hologram printer control section 19 operates the plurality of hologram printers 18 ₁, 18 ₂ . . . 18 _(x). The image processing section 20 performs the specified image processing on the various types of data from the imaging systems and the external data receive sections. The hologram printer control section 19 and image processing section 20 are comprised by a servo computer.

[0062] The operation of the holographic stereogram printing system 10 is described next. One imaging system from among the plurality n of imaging systems and plurality m of external data receive sections, inputs an image. This imaging system exchanges signals with the servocomputer, and when the image processing section 20 of the servocomputer is set to receive images, the imaging system sends the input image to the image processing section 20 of the servocomputer. The imaging system control section of the imaging system makes a control information file at this time, and sends this information control file to the servocomputer simultaneously with the image. Besides the above-mentioned information, this information control file adds additional information necessary for identifying the image such as the imaging device No. and the serial No.

[0063] The imaging system or the external data receive section may also determine the entire contents of control information file, and the information control file may also hold the identification No. designated by the servo computer.

[0064] The servocomputer that received the images, searches by means of the hologram printer control section 19 for a hologram printer whose print setup is complete from among x number of hologram printers and sends the data to be printed. Of course, if the servo computer settings are changed, control can be performed for printing out the image being sent, on a specific desired printer.

[0065] The hologram printer specified by the hologram printer control section 19 of the servocomputer makes a printout of the holographic stereogram based on the data that was sent. The hologram printer can at this time, incorporate the number of prints, optimized exposure conditions and hologram ID based on the control information file.

[0066] Incorporating the ID No. is especially effective in systems having a plurality of imaging systems and printers. The image processing required for incorporating this ID No. can also be performed by image processing on the printer, instead of the image processing section 20 on the servocomputer. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A holographic stereogram printing system comprising: base image provision means for providing a control information file relating to the base image used in the hologram and the base image; a transmission path for transmitting the base image and control information file from said base image provision means; and printing means for making printouts of the holographic stereograms based on the base image according to said control information file provided by said base image provision means by way of said transmission path.
 2. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: image processing means for performing specified processing on said base image provided from said base image provision means by way of said transmission path, wherein said printing means makes printouts of the row of images subjected to the specified processing by said image processing means according to said control information file.
 3. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 1, wherein said information control file has a format consisting of an identification number added to information relating to attributes such as the base image and image capture conditions when said base image was photographed.
 4. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 3, wherein said print means optimizes the exposure based on conditions listed with said information control file.
 5. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 4, wherein said image processing means performs image processing to visually recognize the identification number added to said information control file of said holographic stereogram printed out by said printing means when seen from a designated angle.
 6. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 4, wherein a composite is made of the selected image in said information control file, and the base image from said base image provision means.
 7. A holographic stereogram printing system further comprising: a plurality of base image provision means for providing a control information file relating to the base image used in the hologram and the base image; network means for sending and allotting the base image and the control information file from said plurality of base image provision means; a plurality of printing means for making printouts of the holographic stereograms based on said base image according to the control information file distributed from said plurality of base image provision means by way of said network means.
 8. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 7, wherein said system further comprises of image distribution means for collecting base images sent from a plurality of said base image provision means by way of said network means, and after performing said processing on said base images, distributing said images by way of said network means to appropriate printing means from among a plurality of said printing means.
 9. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 8., wherein said image distribution means receives said base images along with control information file from said plurality of base image provision means, and said images and said control information file are distributed to said appropriate printing means by way of said network means.
 10. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 7, wherein said control information file is recorded in a format with an identification number added to information relating to attributes of base images and image capture conditions when said base image was photographed.
 11. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 10, wherein said printing means optimizes the exposure based on photography conditions recorded within said control information file.
 12. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 8, wherein said image distribution means implements image processing to allow visual recognition of the identification number added to said control information file when said holographic stereogram printed out by said printing means is viewed from a designated angle.
 13. A holographic stereogram printing system according to claim 11, wherein said image designated by said control information file is made into a composite image with the base image from said base image provision means.
 14. A holographic stereogram printing method comprising a base image receive process of receiving by ways of a transmission path, the base image used for the hologram and a control information file relating to the base image; a detection process of detecting said control information file; and a printing process of making printouts of the holographic stereogram based on said base image according to said control information file detected by said detection process.
 15. A holographic printing method according to claim 14, further comprising a image processing process of implementing specified processing on said base image received by way of said transmission means, wherein said image generated by said image processing means is printed by said printing process according to said control information file detected by said detection process.
 16. A holographic printing method according to claim 15, wherein said base image receiving process receives by way of a network, said control information file and said base image provided from a plurality of base image provision means.
 17. An imaging device comprising: imaging means for capturing a base image for a hologram; and control information generation means for generating a control information file relating to the base image for holograms captured by said image capture means, wherein said control information file generated by said control information generation means is added to said base image captured by said image capture means and provided to the transmission destination.
 18. An imaging device according to claim 17, wherein said control information file is recorded in a format with an identification number added to information relating to attributes of base images and image capture conditions when said base image was captured. 